On Saturday, July 17th, another Medal of Honor recipient left us to guard the streets of heaven. Thank you, sir, for your service to our country.

Nicky Daniel "Nick" Bacon (November 25, 1945  July 17, 2010) was a United States Army first sergeant from the Americal Division who served during the Vietnam War. For his actions in combat in Tam Ky, Vietnam, Bacon was awarded America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Bacon was born in Caraway, Arkansas, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in Phoenix, Arizona. He reached the rank of staff sergeant while serving his second combat tour in Vietnam as part of the 21st Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division. On August 26, 1968, while commanding a squad of the first platoon of Company B, 4th Battalion in an operation west of Tam Ky, Bacon and his unit came under fire from enemy positions. While Bacon destroyed these positions with hand grenades, his platoon leader was wounded in open ground. Assuming command, Bacon led the platoon to destroy the remaining enemy emplacements.

When the third platoon of Bravo Company lost their own leader, Bacon took command of that platoon as well as his own and led both platoons against enemy positions. During the evacuation of the wounded, Bacon climbed the side of a nearby tank to gain a vantage point and direct fire into enemy positions, despite his exposure to enemy fire. He was personally credited with killing at least 4 enemy soldiers and destroying an anti-tank gun.

For his actions in this battle, Bacon was awarded the Medal of Honor. For his distinguished military service in Vietnam and throughout his career, he also received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars (with combat "V"), the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and numerous other awards and decorations.

After the war, Bacon continued to serve in the Army until his retirement as a first sergeant. He later served as president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Director of Veterans' Affairs for the State of Arkansas. In the 1990s he traveled to Vietnam as part of a POW/MIA task force and traveled to Israel at the invitation of Jewish veterans, urging the Israeli government not to cede the Golan Heights to Syria. Bacon also became a veterans' advocate.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Bacon distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader with the 1st Platoon, Company B, during an operation west of Tam Ky. When Company B came under fire from an enemy bunker line to the front, S/Sgt. Bacon quickly organized his men and led them forward in an assault. He advanced on a hostile bunker and destroyed it with grenades. As he did so, several fellow soldiers including the 1st Platoon leader, were struck by machine gun fire and fell wounded in an exposed position forward of the rest of the platoon. S/Sgt. Bacon immediately assumed command of the platoon and assaulted the hostile gun position, finally killing the enemy gun crew in a single-handed effort. When the 3d Platoon moved to S/Sgt. Bacon's location, its leader was also wounded. Without hesitation S/Sgt. Bacon took charge of the additional platoon and continued the fight. In the ensuing action he personally killed 4 more enemy soldiers and silenced an antitank weapon. Under his leadership and example, the members of both platoons accepted his authority without question. Continuing to ignore the intense hostile fire, he climbed up on the exposed deck of a tank and directed fire into the enemy position while several wounded men were evacuated. As a result of S/Sgt. Bacon's extraordinary efforts, his company was able to move forward, eliminate the enemy positions, and rescue the men trapped to the front. S/Sgt. Bacon's bravery at the risk of his life was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission!

I’m Catholic and also believe Nick is in Heaven face to face with our Savior and when our run is done well join him there.

I lost Mom April 29, 2006 and Dad February 13, 2008. I still felt like Mom was around looking out for Dad. You may think this is strange but, The night Dad passed, I was sent a little message letting me know that they were both OK and that I will see them again.

181
posted on 08/30/2010 8:18:34 PM PDT
by RedMDer
(Throw them all out in 2010... Forward with Confidence! Forward!)

Posted on basic training.org by the late Nick Bacon
we should make him an honorary Freeper

Knowing the Cost, Expressing the Value (by Nick Bacon)
Knowing the Cost, Expressing the Value
Written by Nick Bacon

Our founding fathers knew that freedom comes with a very expensive price tag. It was going to cost many American lives. They also knew, in July of 1776, when they signed the Declaration of Independence, that they had probably signed their own death warrant.

This is a great country, one nation under God. A nation of prosperity and respect for our people, their liberty and freedom. I believe that our forefathers made a clear, forthright declaration of our dependence on our God and Savior in the closing words, with firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

Fifty-six great men signed that Declaration, few survived. Five were captured and tortured to death by the enemy, twelve lost their homes and property, two lost sons in the Army, one had a son captured, and nine died supporting the war.

Such great men have continued to fight and die for this great country! We are a great nation because we have always had great men and women who believe in the same principles and ideals as our nations founding fathersmen and women who trust in God and who depend upon each other. I have lost many great friends in battle, young men who shall never see a tomorrow. Their wives and children shall never again kiss the faces of their dead heroes. Yes, I know the sadness of war, the many lost lives, the wounded. Yet there would be the greater loss of freedom traded for chains, prosperity for hunger, hope for tears, were it not for these great Americans who have always been willing to pay the supreme sacrifice in protecting our nation from tyrants who would exercise their unjust cruelty over our people.

This is an attitude from the heart. It is more important than the circumstances of life, than education, than skill, than money. It is what makes or breaks a country or a people.

We shall always be a great nation as long as we teach our children that the knowledge and trust provided by the Redeemer of mankind, our Lord Jesus Christ, is of paramount importance. With each teaching, it is impossible for us to be anything other than great.

A nation is only great when it is made so by its people. Men and women who work hard every day, cultivating this great and blessed land. Never hungry, but feeding the hungry; opening our nations arms and heart to the poor of the world.

I love this great land called the United States of America, and in all my travels, I have seen none so great. Ill fight for her and even die for her. For, this is my land, secured by God and man. If we ever allow God to be removed from us, we shall fail quickly. For, what is a nation without God?

Let us remember all those who have perished for our freedom. Dont let their sacrifice stand for nothing in your life. Tell everyone that they made the supreme sacrifice for a great cause; be proud you are an American, and thank God that you are.

WOW!! What an awesome post! Please let the family of Nicky Bacon know that we have not forgotten his sacrifice for our country. He was a hero through and through and I am honored just to know his story. God bless his family!!

193
posted on 08/30/2010 9:36:29 PM PDT
by StarCMC
(Sometimes you need a Jimmy Carter to get a Ronald Reagan.)

Thanks for the ping mylife. Our awesome God is gathering a mighty host of warriors to accompany His Son on His return. May Nick Bacon rest in presence of Our Lord until he is recalled to the final battle.

197
posted on 08/30/2010 11:16:13 PM PDT
by ForGod'sSake
(You have just two choices: SUBMIT or RESIST with everything you've got!)

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